Kate Shemirani Stripped of Nursing License After Daughter's Death and Cancer Conspiracies

Kate Shemirani, the controversial former NHS nurse and anti-vaccine campaigner, has been permanently struck off the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) register following continued promotion of conspiracy theories, including claims that undermined her daughter treatment and may have contributed to her death.

Mother Accused of Influencing Daughter's Fatal Decision

In late 2023, a promising 23-year-old Cambridge graduate was diagnosed with treatable non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Doctors informed her that she had an 80% chance of recovery with chemotherapy. However, Paloma refused treatment, opting instead for alternative therapies advocated by her mother, including 'juices and coffee enemas'—practices credited by Kate with curing her own breast cancer.

Paloma died in July 2024, following a cardiac arrest provoked by the untreated tumour.

Her brothers, Sebastian and Gabriel, have publicly blamed Kate Shemirani for instilling distrust in conventional medicine, demanding action and stronger regulation of health misinformation.

NMC Bygones: From Nurse to Banned Influencer

Kate Shemirani first came under scrutiny during the COVID-19 pandemic, speaking at anti-lockdown protests and spreading conspiracies, such as vaccines being part of a genocide scheme, on social media. She was suspended in July 2020 and struck off permanently in May 2021 for promoting misinformation and encouraging others to reject public health guidance.

A hearing transcript reveals Shemirani had used inflammatory language, comparing NHS staff to 'Nazis' and spreading discredited theories linking 5G technology to coronavirus. Her actions were deemed 'deeply offensive' and a clear violation of professional standards.

Family Speaks Out, Inquest Pending

Paloma's brothers are now campaigning for stricter action against online medical disinformation. Sebastian Shemirani told the BBC: 'My sister has passed away as a direct consequence of my mum's actions and beliefs,' urging authorities to intervene before similar tragedies occur.

An official inquest into Paloma's death is scheduled for next month. Ahead of it, Gabriel Shemirani called for tighter social media and health regulations, emphasising the harm caused when influential figures misuse their platform.

What This Tells Us About Medical Misinformation

Kate Shemirani's case highlights the real-world danger of conspiracy-driven influence by those once trusted in medical professions. Her dramatic fall from respected nurse to banned influencer reflects the broader challenge of combating health misinformation in the digital age.

Her case serves as a cautionary tale about how quickly public trust can be weaponised, particularly when former professionals use their credentials to lend credibility to unscientific views.

It also raises urgent questions about the enforcement of regulatory boundaries in the digital age, where deplatforming may not prevent a determined influencer from reaching vulnerable audiences.

Looking Forward: Calls for Reform

Health professionals and activists are urging policymakers to expand regulatory powers over online content and rehabilitate professional standards for health messaging. As the inquest looms, there is a growing consensus that frameworks must be updated to prevent unqualified individuals from influencing vulnerable people at critical moments in their care.

The painful saga of Kate Shemirani and her daughter underscores the life-and-death stakes of medical misinformation. Her removal from the nursing register may be just the start of a broader movement to protect public health and ensure healthcare professionals cannot abuse their authority.